Where is the 2022 offense?

#1
Volbrando

Volbrando

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#1
I know we don't have Hooker or Hyatt, but what is so different about our offense this year? I think after a year with Milton, a lot of us expected the 2022 look to be back. I'm not seeing it (outside of the UTC and Kent State games).

We have Nico a 5* QB, we have a good WR group, is the offensive line off that much compared to 2022 that we don't have enough time to get open and for Nico to throw deep or the middle of the field more often? Did Hooker just have more confidence being older and having played in more games? Did Heupel and Golesh just trust Hooker more? What are your thoughts?
 
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#2
#2
I know it's been beaten to death but to me it seems like the main problem is pretty clearly that the O-line is worse, especially at LT and RT. Some of that is due to injury and we don’t have quality depth. In the Iowa game, Nico's first instinct for much of that game was to take off and he was really good at it. Now it seems to be the opposite? I'm sure they want to limit injury possibility and they want him to learn to move through progressions and so on but he was so dynamic in that game I thought, especially on the ground. I'm not a coach but my understanding of this offense is that it's supposed to create mismatches down field when the running game isn't working. Maybe he's missing some reads or maybe they just need to start throwing some really quick short passes over the middle or something. Or maybe he just needs to go back to taking off in the running game? I wasn't able to watch every single play very closely the other night but it didn't look like we used the TEs much or if we did, they just weren't very effective. They try those screen passes off to the edges that seem to be the equivalent of trying to run outside but it doesn't seem to gain much when they try it.

All I know is they need to figure it out or it's going to be a long rest of the season. My initial thought is that the identity of the team this year will be defense-minded and patch-work on offense until they can get some pieces in place for the future. I hope I'm wrong. They have a ton of OL on the roster but most of them are freshmen and sophomores I believe. I try to be optimistic about the team especially when they're struggling but it IS frustrating to me that we're constantly talking about the offensive line and how to fix it almost every year but 2022. Darnell Wright was a beast and so were Crawford and Carvin. That group was a really good.
 
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#3
#3
Volbrando said:
I know we don't have Hooker or Hyatt, but what is so different about our offense this year? I think after a year with Milton, a lot of us expected the 2022 look to be back. I'm not seeing it (outside of the UTC and Kent State games).

We have Nico a 5* QB, we have a good WR group, is the offensive line off that much compared to 2022 that we don't have enough time to get open and for Nico to throw deep or the middle of the field more often? Did Hooker just have more confidence being older and having played in more games? Did Heupel and Golesh just trust Hooker more? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
In Detroit,

Next Question.
 
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#6
#6
Is it just me or is Heard always the last one to line up when we wanna go fast? I noticed we had to wait on him 3-4 times when we hurried up, giving the defense more time to adjust.
 
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#7
#7
For whatever reason they are being conservative and I don't think that will work with this offense. A lot of teams have O-lines that are struggling, Having him try to stand in there is going to get him hurt faster than if they would let him run, imo.
 
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#10
#10
Volbrando said:
I know we don't have Hooker or Hyatt, but what is so different about our offense this year? I think after a year with Milton, a lot of us expected the 2022 look to be back. I'm not seeing it (outside of the UTC and Kent State games).

We have Nico a 5* QB, we have a good WR group, is the offensive line off that much compared to 2022 that we don't have enough time to get open and for Nico to throw deep or the middle of the field more often? Did Hooker just have more confidence being older and having played in more games? Did Heupel and Golesh just trust Hooker more? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
OL, OL, OL, OL. And Nico is a YOUNG, inexperienced human being, and not a celestial entity. You'll see the reality of this again this season. Just enjoy our guys going out and giving their best shot. Either that or buy a Teddy Bear to hug during game.
 
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#11
#11
cherokeeeVOL said:
I know it's been beaten to death but to me it seems like the main problem is pretty clearly that the O-line is worse, especially at LT and RT. Some of that is due to injury and we don’t have quality depth. In the Iowa game, Nico's first instinct for much of that game was to take off and he was really good at it. Now it seems to be the opposite? I'm sure they want to limit injury possibility and they want him to learn to move through progressions and so on but he was so dynamic in that game I thought, especially on the ground. I'm not a coach but my understanding of this offense is that it's supposed to create mismatches down field when the running game isn't working. Maybe he's missing some reads or maybe they just need to start throwing some really quick short passes over the middle or something. Or maybe he just needs to go back to taking off in the running game? I wasn't able to watch every single play very closely the other night but it didn't look like we used the TEs much or if we did, they just weren't very effective. They try those screen passes off to the edges that seem to be the equivalent of trying to run outside but it doesn't seem to gain much when they try it.

All I know is they need to figure it out or it's going to be a long rest of the season. My initial thought is that the identity of the team this year will be defense-minded and patch-work on offense until they can get some pieces in place for the future. I hope I'm wrong. They have a ton of OL on the roster but most of them are freshmen and sophomores I believe. I try to be optimistic about the team especially when they're struggling but it IS frustrating to me that we're constantly talking about the offensive line and how to fix it almost every year but 2022. Darnell Wright was a beast and so were Crawford and Carvin. That group was a really good.
Click to expand...
You hit the main points. We just aren't as talented as we were in '22 on offense. We also aren't nearly as experienced in critical spots. Frankly, I do see the potential for a "long rest of the season". Folks will say the Arky game was just "one game", but it was devastating in so many ways. The image and opinion of this staff, roster and program have been turned on its head and flipped. Folks are even calling to bench our golden child at QB 5 games into his first year as starter. Confidence has to have been shaken on the team but especially with Nico. Where's his head? His line can't protect him or stay healthy. His RBs are giving him lookout blocks. His security blankets at WR are injured and might be MIA. Now we get our real kryptonite coming to town this weekend. Lose that one and I can see a very, very ugly season unfolding simply because I'm having trouble identifying our "leaders" on this roster. Usually, on offense it's the QB but Nico is still finding his way right now and is struggling himself. Who is it on defense? Gonna be really interesting to see how this coaching staff handles things and the plan they come up with. From what I've seen so far, I'd gladly take 8 wins and be content.
 
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#12
#12
I miss Golesh! There are multiple factors that have changed since 2022, but the offense just hasn't been the same since he left. I know we no longer have Hooker, Hyatt, etc. but I think Golesh was a great OC. However, I think the biggest thing is the lack of production from the OL.
 
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#14
#14
MustardCatcher said:
I miss Golesh! There are multiple factors that have changed since 2022, but the offense just hasn't been the same since he left. I know we no longer have Hooker, Hyatt, etc. but I think Golesh was a great OC. But I think the biggest thing is the lack of production from the OL.
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Not sure how much having him would have changed the reality of this season. Let's be honest, the 22 offense is in the NFL. Schemes are all fine and dandy, but it still comes down to players making plays. We don't have the players on offense. I think that was made clear vs Arky. Now the injuries have come. I think the game plan will look like the OU game for the rest of the year. How successful it will be will come down to how well our defense holds up. They were great against the weak sisters on the schedule and OU didn't have a QB. They bent a bit vs Arky but still did enough to win. How will they hold up against teams with very good offenses? Can our offense score enough to keep pace? Seeing what kind of coaching staff we have will be on display the rest of the season. Gonna be interesting to watch.
 
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#15
#15
CAVPUT said:
You hit the main points. We just aren't as talented as we were in '22 on offense. We also aren't nearly as experienced in critical spots. Frankly, I do see the potential for a "long rest of the season". Folks will say the Arky game was just "one game", but it was devastating in so many ways. The image and opinion of this staff, roster and program have been turned on its head and flipped. Folks are even calling to bench our golden child at QB 5 games into his first year as starter. Confidence has to have been shaken on the team but especially with Nico. Where's his head? His line can't protect him or stay healthy. His RBs are giving him lookout blocks. His security blankets at WR are injured and might be MIA. Now we get our real kryptonite coming to town this weekend. Lose that one and I can see a very, very ugly season unfolding simply because I'm having trouble identifying our "leaders" on this roster. Usually, on offense it's the QB but Nico is still finding his way right now and is struggling himself. Who is it on defense? Gonna be really interesting to see how this coaching staff handles things and the plan they come up with. From what I've seen so far, I'd gladly take 8 wins and be content.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Preseason I was thinking 9-3 but hopeful for 10-2 with some injury luck. 10-2 seemed very likely until the end of Saturday's game. Florida is obviously a must-win. I do think the defense is still better. I know the backend struggled some this past Saturday but only giving up 19 points should win you most SEC games.
 
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#17
#17
MustardCatcher said:
I miss Golesh! There are multiple factors that have changed since 2022, but the offense just hasn't been the same since he left. I know we no longer have Hooker, Hyatt, etc. but I think Golesh was a great OC. However, I think the biggest thing is the lack of production from the OL.
Click to expand...
I think the Golesh factor is bigger than most people think.
 
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#18
#18
Volbrando said:
I know we don't have Hooker or Hyatt, but what is so different about our offense this year? I think after a year with Milton, a lot of us expected the 2022 look to be back. I'm not seeing it (outside of the UTC and Kent State games).

We have Nico a 5* QB, we have a good WR group, is the offensive line off that much compared to 2022 that we don't have enough time to get open and for Nico to throw deep or the middle of the field more often? Did Hooker just have more confidence being older and having played in more games? Did Heupel and Golesh just trust Hooker more? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
I think Hyatt was the key to they offense. Dude just burned everyone and was always open. Desperately need that again. And it's possible Golesh was a better play caller than we anticipated. Heupel has shown to lack creativity, especially in tight games. He goes beyond even Fulmers conservative play calling. All we do is run up the middle, throw wr screen to flat, or deep to sideline. Not hard to figure out.


I don't understand the lack of different routes/plays. It's crazy...
 
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#23
#23
It left with Golesh, why do we not throw down field or slants or rb screens??? We run the ball and throw out to receivers that's it that's this offense now, 3rd 7 and instead of trying to go win the game we run the ball and punt???? Qb needs to run som..it's just like Milton just stands there... 8-4 is the ceiling for this team so we're currently 4-1

Fla L/W
Bama L
Ky W/L
Miss st W
UGA L
Utep W
Vandy W
8-4 best case scenario

Ky and FL I think we win one of them but not both
 
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#24
#24
Volbrando said:
I know we don't have Hooker or Hyatt, but what is so different about our offense this year? I think after a year with Milton, a lot of us expected the 2022 look to be back. I'm not seeing it (outside of the UTC and Kent State games).

We have Nico a 5* QB, we have a good WR group, is the offensive line off that much compared to 2022 that we don't have enough time to get open and for Nico to throw deep or the middle of the field more often? Did Hooker just have more confidence being older and having played in more games? Did Heupel and Golesh just trust Hooker more? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Oline
 
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#25
#25
Volbrando said:
I know we don't have Hooker or Hyatt, but what is so different about our offense this year? I think after a year with Milton, a lot of us expected the 2022 look to be back. I'm not seeing it (outside of the UTC and Kent State games).

We have Nico a 5* QB, we have a good WR group, is the offensive line off that much compared to 2022 that we don't have enough time to get open and for Nico to throw deep or the middle of the field more often? Did Hooker just have more confidence being older and having played in more games? Did Heupel and Golesh just trust Hooker more? What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
The offensive line is not close at all to the 2022 team. That is the biggest problem.
 
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